Martin Verkerk Gains Milan Indoors Final

Published 7:00 pm, Friday, January 31, 2003

Martin Verkerk beat Ivan Ljubicic 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1) Saturday to advance to the final of the Milan Indoors tournament.

Verkerk, ranked No. 90 in the ATP entry list, advanced to his first final on the strength of his powerful serve and unforced errors by his opponent. He will face the winner of the semifinal between fifth-seeded Yevgeny Kafelnikov and eighth-seeded Finn Jarkko Nieminen later Saturday.

"It's amazing. You dream about this but I did not think it could come so soon," said Verkerk, who has been playing in the ATP main draw for eight months.